Introduction: Pinnacle has been working hard with their prostaff, which
includes popular Pro Angler John Crews, to refine and introduce new reels and
rods that are designed to stand up to all the rigors of tournament fishing.

Meet Pinnacle's latest Optimus baitcaster, the
LTE

The
company built on their established Optimus baitcaster line with the introduction
of the lightweight Optimus LTE reel which features Pinnacle's "X-Bone" rigid
metal frame and metal side covers to minimize torque and keep the gearing in
perfect alignment under heavy loads.

The LTE features a tandem cast control system

The new
reel makes use of nine double shielded stainless steel bearings plus the roller
bearing and comes with a "tandem" cast control which basically means that the
reel has both a magnetic and centrifugal anti-backlash system. This system is
controlled via an external dial.

The LTE also features a "Quick Flip Button"

The LTE is
designed to be lightweight and weighs only 7.4oz. thanks in part to a concave
carbon fiber handle that is ported. The reel is designed to excel at both long
and short distance casts and even has a quick flip button. The LTE will be
available in three retrieve ratios, 5.5:1, 6.4:1, and 7.3:1 and all models will
retail for an aggressive price of only $159.99.

New this year are Perfecta Micro Guide rods

Pinnacle's
Perfect rods are designed to pair with the company's Optimus, Performa, and
Producer reels. All of these rods feature multiple high density carbon tape
layer wrapped in opposite directions around a high modulus graphite prepreg
core, Fuji alconite guides, and Fuji reel seats.

The Perfecta Series rods make use of Fuji
components

New for
this year are Perfecta Walleye rods as well as a new series of Micro Guide rods.
The new micro guide rods are fitted with Fuji Micro Concept guides with alconite
rings. These are the lightest Perfecta rods to date and there will be rods
addressing applications ranging from traditional spinning and casting to
flipping/pitching and even tossing swimbaits.

Pro Angler John Crews shows us the Optimus LTE

As with
the original Perfecta series rods these new micro guide rods are a great value
at $189.99-$199.99 each depending on model. At the booth John crews was on hand
showing us his favorite combos. In his hand was the new Optimus LTE which is
likely going to be a new workhorse reel on his tournament rig.